Closed Lid MBP: Any Issues?

I'm looking to purchase a 2.33 MacBook Pro with a 20" Cinema display. I regularly play World of Warcraft as well as run Final Cut Studio. I am passing on a PowerMac and replacing the desktop with this setup.

Has anyone seen any heat issues with running the system closed for an extended time?

Any significant performance decrease running on the external screen?

Any issues using closed lid in BootCamp?

I saw the fan control programs and will keep those on hand for later on if need be. Thanks for the help.

It'll be fine. It's designed for that usage, so long as you keep it on a flat, hard surface and it is reasonably well ventilated.

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Umm, I'm pretty sure all Apple laptops are designed to run lid-open only. The exhaust vents are right in front of the hinge. All you have to do, is open the lid after you've plugged in a USB keyboard and/or mouse and external display. Hopefully your desk is set up so that it won't be in the way.

As for external performance, if you're only using the external display, it will run exactly as well as if the external display was the built-in one. Or at least it should.

I use both 15" PB and MBP (c2d) models in the clam shell mode (lid closed with external LCDs) without any issue. Using MBP/PB's onboard LCD screen and ACDs at the same time is a little distracting for my taste (hart to match up the brightness).
I make sure keep my Macs well ventilated by putting them on iCurves.
If you are anal like me, you can use Radtech Screensaverz on the keyboard when you close the lid for added protection for the LCD screens.

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